Alliance launches No Hate Certificate to acknowledge and make visible the role of civil society in combating intolerance

Co-operating with civil society has been part of the way of functioning of the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance from the start. Representatives of associations and non-governmental organisations have been crucial interlocutors and have helped members to understand the reality of hatred, racism and intolerance in Europe today.

The No Hate Parliamentary Alliance has now established a way to acknowledge the role of these actors in supporting its cause, and to promote and make visible the principles enshrined in the Alliance's Charter. Schools, sports clubs, youth and human rights non-governmental organisations, as well as online blogs, pages and new outlets, may be granted a No Hate Certificate which would confirm their contribution to fighting hatred and intolerance in Europe in whatever form it manifests itself. Candidates will be nominated by Alliance members in close co-operation with the No Hate Speech Movement campaign of the Council of Europe's Youth Sector, and by national committees of the campaign itself.

"Certified" entities will be featured in the website and social media of the Alliance and the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination of the Parliamentary Assembly. They will be encouraged to work closely with the Alliance – it is hoped that the Certificate will only be the first step in this direction.

In follow-up to the Assembly Resolution 1967 (2014) on A strategy to prevent racism and intolerance in Europe, the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination has proposed setting up the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance, an alliance of parliamentarians who commit to taking open, firm and pro-active stands against racism, hatred and intolerance on whatever grounds and however they manifest themselves. The Alliance is open to members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and to members of delegations having observer and partner for democracy status with the Assembly. Their commitment is formalised by signing the Charter of commitments for membership in the Alliance.

The Alliance is coordinated by the General Rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance, who is supported by the Bureau of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination.

Strasbourg, 27 June 2017: the Alliance launched the No Hate Certificate.

Strasbourg, 29 September 2015: the Alliance approved a roadmap for 2015-2017 and held a hearing on political and media approaches to the refugee and migrant crisis. Link to press release

Strasbourg, 21 April 2015: The Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination appointed Ms Milena Santerini (Italy, SOC) as general rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance and coordinator of the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance.

Strasbourg, 29 January 2015: the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance was officially launched. On the occasion, an exchange of views on the rise of anti-semitism in Europe was held. Links to first and second press releases for the launch.

The Alliance

Gabriela Heinrich (Germany, SOC), General Rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance, and Coordinator of the Alliance